Leicester v Newcastle: Which Foxes van Nistelrooy should start | OneFootball

The King Power Club surely know their fate is destined for the EFL Championship at this stage in the season. Despite an initially fine run of results with a poor style of play, the Foxes’ performances became lethargic and kind of depressing. As a result, I think there is plenty of opportunity for Ruud van Nistelrooy to give a few players the chance to play with the end result no longer really meaning much.

For me then, the Dutchman ought to try out a forward or two, a midfielder, and a defender from the youth setup. To be honest, the reason for this is purely to see these players in action, and understand whether they ought to be in the upcoming Championship squad with the senior side.

Leicester City’s starlet forwards

There are two names which are inescapable on Leicester supporter’s social media. Those are Jake Evans and Jeremy Monga. The pair are a true set of attacking starlets. With all the flare and big club interest that comes with stardom. The battle to keep these two will be won if the Foxes offer them playtime and a clear route into the senior side.

Jake Evans seems to be a natural goal scorer. The English forward is incessantly involved in almost every single attacking play: as link, creator, and end product. That is an extraordinary feat for a 17-year-old playing for our youth set up. Add onto that 14 goals scored across 20 matches played in all competitions, and we have a talent that actually knows where the net is.

The primary draw of Evans for the East Midlands side will be the technical quality the player has to bring a ball under control and retain possession of it while under pressure. This is an important technique for a modern forward when trying to cut inside and get into a strong position for a shot. With the instinct and flare, Evans should start as part of our front line.

Jeremy Monga is Evans’ counterpart on the other side of the pitch. An electric, pacy forward with the strength and composure to run at defences and the technical expertise to skilfully pass past them. Space exploitation and pulling defenders out of position to create space for others and Evans is exactly what Monga does best. That is something we sorely lack in the senior side.

Leicester City have to decide whether caring about goal-difference and points gained matters anymore when they are so far behind Wolverhampton Wanderers, or if actually playing well, giving minutes to future stars, and building a new passionate side might as well start now. There is no point in wasting our time with players likely to leave if Leicester fall into the Championship.

A midfielder and defender for show

In midfield, the Foxes do have a strong crop of players. Although Nistelrooy has not utilised that crop of talent particularly, the club might as well bring on one of their youth stars waiting in the stands for a chance. Henry Cartwright.

With four goals and three assists, a box-to-box menace that links up play really well, makes devastating runs through the lines, and offers an outlet from the defensive line and through midfield. Although not essential, playing alongside Harry Winks or Wilfred Ndidi would be a great experience for Cartwright and offer us a proper look at what the midfielder could offer in the Championship.

At the back, our fullbacks have been broadly ineffective - although Luke Thomas has been hungry and put in the work every match since coming back in - and overall could do with a shakeup for the rest of the campaign. For me, this means Joe Wormleighton.

Having captained the Under 21s, Wormleighton is a natural leader and helps to coordinate the backline while leading by example in putting in defensive shifts consistently. That consistency and understanding of the game is critical in the modern game, and the youth star would at least offer something different than what James Justin would offer the side no the right.

Overall then, Leicester City ought to give up on their dreams of remaining in the Premier League, offer starts to young stars, and probably alter the system itself to just give the supporters something entertaining to watch. Plus, goal difference is not going to save us now, so we might as well play a more enjoyable game with more creative talent.